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We’ve been getting more into sensory play recently. When the twiglets were smaller, I wasn’t so great at doing messy play activities with them at home! Partly because the level of mess with two of them was just bonkers, especially when their attention spans were so short!! And partly because they did lots of it at nursery anyway so I didn’t feel like they were missing out. Now that they’re older, they have far fewer opportunities for messy play and I actually feel they still really need it sometimes. Especially with some of the emotional struggles C has been having lately – I think it’s very good to help her regulate and unwind. Now you all know how much we love rainbows, so I thought I’d pull together a list of the best rainbow sensory play ideas. Enjoy!


1. Rainbow playdough
Playdough is one of the best sensory toys for kids. Why not try making your own rainbow playdough with this recipe from Messy Little Monster!
2. Rainbow potato sensory play
This rainbow potato sensory play idea from Adventures And Play looks really good fun. And taste safe too which is always useful.
3. Rainbow dyed chickpeas
Such a clever idea! I love these rainbow dyed chickpeas from And Next Comes L!
4. Rainbow spaghetti
Why not make this rainbow spaghetti from Messy Little Monster? It looks super fun and a great texture for little ones to play with!

5. Rainbow slime
The twiglets have got so into slime lately. They would definitely love this rainbow slime from Learn Play Imagine!
6. Rainbow shaving foam
Shaving foam is always great for sensory play. This rainbow shaving foam idea from Nurture Store is fab!
7. Rainbow ice balls
This rainbow ice ball sensory bin from Craftulate looks incredible!
8. Rainbow oats sensory play
Why not use up some stale oats with this rainbow oats sensory play idea from Laughing Kids Learn?

9. Rainbow sensory rice
Rice is a great tool for sensory play with children. If you fancy making your own, check out this recipe for rainbow sensory rice from The Imagination Tree. Or this one from a fellow blogger π
10. Rainbow spring sensory paints
Why not try making these rainbow spring sensory paints from Frogs And Snails And Puppy Dog Tails?
11. Rainbow gelatine sensory tub
This rainbow gelatine sensory tub from No Time For Flashcards looks like a lot of fun (if you’re not vegetarian of course!)
12. Rainbow sensory scarves
For younger infants and babies, these rainbow sensory scarves from Baby Play Hacks look lovely.

13. Rainbow soap foam
This rainbow soap foam idea from Hello Wonderful looks fab – I bet kids would have a whale of a time in the bath with this!
14. Scented rainbow beans
These scented rainbow beans from The Imagination Tree are great for engaging children’s other senses too.
15. Rainbow Discovery Bottles
I love these rainbow discovery bottles from Play To Learn Preschool – they look fab over a light table!
16. Rainbow pasta
This rainbow pasta from Learn Play Imagine would be perfect for practising fine motor skills like threading.

17. Rainbow barley
Practise writing with this rainbow barley sensory play activity from Fun A Day.
18. Rainbow sensory bag
Keep the mess contained with this super simple rainbow sensory bag idea from Rainy Day Mum!
19. Rainbow bubbles sensory play
Kids would have a great time with this rainbow bubbles sensory play idea from The Boy And Me.
20. Rainbow glitter jars
These rainbow glitter jars from Fun A Day are so pretty! They’d be so calming to look at.
I hope you enjoyed this list of fun rainbow sensory play ideas. Have you tried any of these before?
Looking for more rainbow crafty ideas? Check out these rainbow craft ideas for toddlers or this rainbow finger paint tree craft activity π
Thanks so much for reading! Til next time,
Hannah xx
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31 Comments
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I love these colourful sensory play ideas xx #KCACOLS
Ah I’m glad you like them π x
As a former early years practitioner I love all of the above#mischiefandmemories@_karendennis
Fab. I’m so glad π xx
Hi Hannah, popping back from #MischiefAndMemories
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The rainbow playdough looks so nice but colour mixing puts me on edge ha! We love rainbow scarves, they can become anything and are so good for inspiring all sorts of play. Thank you so much for linking up with #KCACOLS
Katrina x
I know what you mean about the mixing, it usually just ends up sludgy brown when my two mix it all up haha!
Popping back #kidsandkreativity@_karendennis
Thanks Karen xx
These are great ideas. We’ve done the sensory activity with paint in a ziplock bag before (although I’ve yet to try it with Thomas) and have made coloured rice. I might try the chickpeas next time. #MMBC
Ah fab, yes they look fun π x
Popping back from #MischiefandMemories
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Oh my goodness! Look at all that rainbow happiness. Those activities look so much fun. We did quite a bit of messy play like this when mine was little, the squashier and smooshier the better. Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories xx
Haha yes definitely the squishier the better π xx
Such bright and colourful ideas! Great inspiration for the Easter holidays so I might get creative… Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAnd Memories
Thank you π xx
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Such a lovely idea! #KidsandKreativity
Thanks π x
The last year has been all about rainbows hasn’t it – love the ice balls idea! #KCACOLS
Haha my whole life is all about rainbows π π
I love the vibrant colours of all these sensory activities. There are a few that I wouldn’t have thought to try too such as using potatoes! #KCACOLS
Haha yes same! π
Popping back from #KidsandKreativity
What a great collection of rainbow craft. #kcacols
Thank you, gotta love rainbows π xx
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Some fabulous ideas here, and who doesn’t love a rainbow! Thanks for sharing at #KidsandKreativity, hope to see you back next time.